as in defunct
no longer existing
a few overgrown ruins are all that remain of that once mighty but now extinct civilization
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Recent Examples of extinct
In 1898, the takahē was declared extinct, according to The Guardian.
—
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Fossil remains have led to the identification of an extinct rhinoceros that lived about 23 million years ago.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Its hooves are an example of a phenomenon called convergent evolution in which disparate organisms independently evolve similar features — like the wings of birds, bats and the extinct flying reptiles called pterosaurs — while adapting to similar environments or ecological niches.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
However, Neely said, there’s a common takeaway from both stories of functionally extinct corals.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
Fossil remains have led to the identification of an extinct rhinoceros that lived about 23 million years ago.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Oct. 2025
Its hooves are an example of a phenomenon called convergent evolution in which disparate organisms independently evolve similar features — like the wings of birds, bats and the extinct flying reptiles called pterosaurs — while adapting to similar environments or ecological niches.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
However, Neely said, there’s a common takeaway from both stories of functionally extinct corals.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for extinct
Recent Examples of Synonyms for extinct
Adjective
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In addition, the now-defunct Delta subsidiary, Song Airlines, tapped Kate and Andy Spade to design some of its uniforms from 2004 to 2006.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The attraction, which reached heights of 96 feet and speeds up to 45 mph, came from the defunct Paragon Park in Massachusetts.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
And even with those two gone, Dubar slid down Boise State’s depth chart, managing just three carries for 12 yards so far in 2025.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Not only are the views, of course, often repulsive, but the actual form of argument is not argument… That’s what interests me, that even the most basic principles that people have worked on for 2,000 years to establish what a fact means…gone.—
Josh Zajdman,
Vogue,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Police suspect Clausen was driving under the influence with expired tags.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
30 Oct. 2025
-
His only local court citation, for an expired registration tag, was dismissed in 1998.—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But as technology reshapes health and wellness, that simple number is starting to look obsolete.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
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Parmar also deliberately streamlines clinic notes by encouraging his providers to avoid the common habit of copying and pasting blocks of obsolete or redundant information in favor of quick updates that can be scanned easily at subsequent visits.—
Helen Ouyang,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Extinct.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/extinct. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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